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CSET Policies

Rules

By registering for the California Educator Credentialing Examinations, you are agreeing to abide by the Rules of Test Participation and all rules, requirements, and policies specified or referenced on the current California Educator Credentialing Examinations website and communicated to you, orally or in writing, at each test administration for which you have registered.

A nondisclosure agreement will be presented to you on the computer after you sign in at the test center. You will be asked to indicate your agreement to the conditions set forth on the current website, including the Rules of Test Participation, the Test Center Rules, and the rules communicated to you orally or in writing at the test administration. You will have five minutes to read and accept the terms of this nondisclosure agreement. If you do not respond within five minutes, or if you indicate that you do not accept the terms of the agreement, your test session will terminate, you will not be permitted to test, and you will receive no refund or credit of any kind.

Rules of Test Participation

Compliance: I understand that I am required to comply with the rules, requirements, and policies specified or referenced on the current California Educator Credentialing Examinations website, including these Rules of Test Participation, and communicated to me, orally and/or in writing, at the test administration. I further understand that if I fail to comply with such rules and requirements: (a) my test result(s) may be voided, (b) no refund will be issued, (c) no portion of the test fee can be applied toward the cost of any future test fees, (d) I may not be permitted to register for current or future test administrations, (e) my registration may be canceled, (f) I may not be allowed to test, (g) I may be required to test under controlled conditions, and (h) legal proceedings and actions may be pursued as well as any other remedies that the Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC), and/or the Evaluation Systems group of Pearson, a business of NCS Pearson, Inc. (Evaluation Systems), may deem appropriate. In addition, I understand that test fraud is a ground for denial, revocation, and/or suspension of a teaching or services credential.

Eligibility to Test: I understand that I may take the CBEST, CSET, CTEL, or RICA Written Examination only if I have earned, at a minimum, a high school diploma, a GED, or the equivalent, or I am, or have been, a student taking courses for college credit pursuant to a career in education. I certify that I am eligible to take the examination on the day of the test for which I have registered according to this eligibility requirement. If I am unsure of my eligibility to take an examination as stated in this rule, I understand that I may request clarification by contacting the appropriate Program Coordinator at the CTC, who will advise me.

Purpose of Testing:

CBEST: I understand that the CBEST is administered in California for the following purposes: (1) to satisfy an application requirement for a teaching or services credential; (2) to satisfy an application requirement for the issuance of an emergency permit, provisional internship permit, or short-term staff permit; (3) to satisfy a requirement for employment; or (4) to satisfy a requirement for admission to a Commission-approved preparation program. I understand that the CBEST is to be taken only by individuals who need to meet one or more of these requirements. If I am unsure of my eligibility to take the CBEST as stated in this rule, I understand that I may request clarification by contacting the CBEST Program Coordinator at the CTC, who will advise me. I certify that I am taking the CBEST in an effort to meet one or more of the purposes stated above and for no other reason, or that I have received permission from the CBEST Program Coordinator to take the CBEST.

CPACE: I understand that the CPACE is administered for the purpose of the issuance of a preliminary Administrative Services Credential only and is to be taken only by individuals who are working toward a preliminary Administrative Services Credential. I certify that I am taking the CPACE to satisfy part of the requirements for a preliminary Administrative Services Credential.

CSET and CTEL: I understand that the tests are administered for the purpose of certification only and are to be taken only by individuals seeking a certification. I certify that I am taking the test(s) for which I have registered for the purpose of certification.

RICA Written Examination: I understand that the RICA is administered for the purpose of teacher certification only and is to be taken only by individuals who are working toward a Multiple Subject Teaching Credential or an Education Specialist Instruction Credential or as approved by the CTC. I certify that I am taking the RICA Written Examination to satisfy part of the requirements for a Multiple Subject Teaching Credential or an Education Specialist Instruction Credential.

Test Administration: I authorize the test administrators to serve as my agents in maintaining a secure test administration. I agree to follow all reasonable instructions given to me either orally or in writing at or during the test administration, including but not limited to instructions to relocate me during the test session. I agree not to communicate with other examinees or any unauthorized persons in any way during the test administration nor to engage in any other form of misconduct. I agree not to engage in behavior that would disrupt or unfairly affect the performance of myself or other examinees. I agree to cooperate with testing personnel. If I fail to comply with these provisions, I may be dismissed from the test center, my results may be voided without refund or credit of any kind, and other actions, as described in Rule 1, may be taken as deemed appropriate by the CTC and Evaluation Systems.

TEST SECURITY

Test Property: I understand that all test materials and any portion thereof or information relating thereto (referred to below as "Test Materials") are the sole property of the CTC or Evaluation Systems. I understand that my responses, without the identification of my name or Social Security number, may be used for research, development, and implementation of testing programs, scorer training or study materials, or other purposes associated with the program. I understand and acknowledge that the Test Materials were developed at great cost and are required to be kept confidential and secure from disclosure in order to fairly and effectively perform the test functions for which they were designed. I have not received or reviewed any Test Materials prior to taking the test and no Test Materials will be available for me to review after the test. I am not permitted to take (and I will not take) any Test Materials or notes (handwritten, printed, or recorded in any other way; referred to below as "Notes") reflecting or recording anything about Test Materials from the testing room or copy or reproduce the Test Materials in whole or in part, by hand or with the use of any electronic or other type of device of any nature.

Test Materials: I understand that I will not be permitted to bring to or to use during the test: Notes, cellular phones, electronic communication devices, visual or audio recording or listening devices or any device with an on/off option, unauthorized calculators, calculator watches, calculator manuals, scratch paper, or any other unauthorized aid (collectively referred to below as "Unauthorized Aids"). Throughout the test session, I will have nothing on my desk or at my workstation but authorized materials provided or approved by the test administrator. I may use materials provided by the test administrator for any intermediate work. However, only responses that I record on computer (including scans of hand-drawn responses) will be scored.

I understand that if, despite my foregoing promises and agreements in 6a and 6b above, test administrators have a reasonable suspicion that I have or may have in my possession any Test Materials, Notes, and/or Unauthorized Aids, I will immediately turn over any such Test Materials, Notes, and/or Unauthorized Aids in my possession to the test administrators at any time upon their request. If I should fail or refuse to do so, or if the test administrators believe in good faith that I have not turned over all such Test Materials, Notes, and/or Unauthorized Aids in my possession, the test administrators may search my person and my personal possessions for such Test Materials, Notes, and/or Unauthorized Aids and may remove them. Any such Test Materials, Notes, and/or Unauthorized Aids that I may have may be retained by Evaluation Systems for as long as may be required for the purposes referenced in Rule 1 above. Test administrators, Evaluation Systems, and the CTC are not responsible for Unauthorized Aids or other prohibited material confiscated by them or otherwise turned over by me. In the event of a possible breach of test security, I agree to cooperate with the testing personnel and I hereby consent to any such reasonable search and to any incidental contact with my person or my possessions that may occur as a result of such a search before my dismissal from the test center. Moreover, I hereby waive any claim that I might otherwise have based upon any such search or contact. If I fail to comply with these conditions, my name will be reported to the CTC and Evaluation Systems; my test results may be voided without refund or credit of any kind; and other actions, as described in Rule 1, may be taken as deemed appropriate by the CTC and Evaluation Systems.

Submitted Materials:

CSET: I understand that certain required materials for CSET: Art Subtest II must be submitted at the test center on the test date for which I have registered. Materials that I have submitted at the test center on the test date become the sole property of the CTC upon their submission and will not be returned to me. The materials that I submit will not be duplicated for me. Materials submitted to or received by Evaluation Systems in any other way other than at the test center on the test date for which I have registered will not be accepted and/or will be returned to me.

Nondisclosure of Test Materials: Because of the great cost expended to develop the Test Materials, because of the obvious necessity that they be kept confidential and secure from disclosure in order to fairly and effectively perform the test functions for which they were designed, and because any disclosure of part or all of the contents of the Test Materials to anyone might render them unusable for future test administrations, I promise and agree that I will not disclose the Test Materials or any part of them (including the form, subject matter, substance, and wording of any test question or any answer thereto) to anyone for a period of ten (10) years from the date of the test administration to which such Test Materials pertain. I understand and agree that if I should violate this agreement of nondisclosure, I may be liable in damages for costs (including redevelopment costs) incurred as a result of any breach of this agreement, and I may also be subject to other legal and equitable remedies (including injunctive relief) for any such breach.

Test Results Reporting and Cancellation: I understand that my test results(s) will be reported to me; to the CTC; to each of the institutions I indicate during registration; and to any other institution, entity, or person authorized or required by law to receive this information. My test results will be sent even if I leave the testing room before I finish the test. I understand that any information provided as a part of registration may be used to report test results or to contact me regarding test- or program-related issues. Once I am admitted to the test center, I may not cancel my test results.

Voided Test Results: I understand that if I fail to comply with the rules and requirements set forth on the current California Educator Credentialing Examinations website, including these Rules of Test Participation, and communicated to me, orally and/or in writing, at the test administration, or if doubts are raised about the validity or legitimacy of my registration or my test results, Evaluation Systems will notify the CTC, if applicable, and other parties as deemed appropriate. The CTC and Evaluation Systems reserve the right to void my test results if, in their sole opinion, there is adequate reason to question their validity or legitimacy due to circumstances within or beyond my control. Other actions, as described in Rule 1, may be taken as deemed appropriate by the CTC and/or Evaluation Systems.

Rights and Obligations Regarding Test Administration: I understand and agree that liability for test administration activities, including but not limited to the adequacy or accuracy of test materials and equipment, the adequacy or accuracy of the registration and administration processes or conditions, the adequacy of test center facilities, the adequacy or accuracy of scoring, the adequacy or accuracy of score reports, the adequacy or accuracy of information provided to me in connection with the California Educator Credentialing Examinations program, and the adequacy of protection of examinee information, will be limited to score correction, test retake, or a rescheduled test appointment at no additional fee. I understand that liability for lost or damaged CSET: Art Subtest II or CSET: Music Subtest II materials submitted by me will be limited to an additional submission of materials or test retake at no fee. I waive any and all rights to all other claims, specifically including but not limited to claims for negligence arising out of any acts or omissions of the CTC and Evaluation Systems (including the employees, agents, contractors, or professional advisors of the CTC and Evaluation Systems).

Program Changes: I understand that the examination program is subject to change at the sole discretion of the CTC. I also understand that certification requirements, including those satisfied by examinations, are periodically revised or replaced. In all instances, it is my responsibility to take the correct examination(s). If I am uncertain which examinations I should take, I will contact the CTC.

Objection to Procedures: If, for any reason, I object to the procedures presented in these Rules of Test Participation, I must advise Evaluation Systems, in writing, of the basis of my objection at least eight (8) weeks before the test date for which I wish to register for my objection to be taken under consideration. Under no circumstances may I register if I have such an objection. If I nevertheless object, my registration may be canceled, I may not be permitted to take the test(s), or my results(s) may be voided, unless I withdraw my objection in writing.

Rules: I understand that should any of these rules or any other requirement or provision contained on the current California Educator Credentialing Examinations website be declared or determined by any court to be illegal or invalid, the remaining rules, requirements, and provisions will not be affected and the illegal or invalid rule, requirement, or provision shall not be deemed a part of the current website. The headings of each of the Rules of Test Participation are for convenient reference only. They are not a part of the rules themselves; they do not necessarily reflect the entire subject matter of each rule; and they are not intended to be used for the purpose of modifying, interpreting, or construing any of these Rules of Test Participation. I agree that any legal action arising in connection with my registration for or participation in a test administration shall be brought only in the state and federal courts located in Sacramento, California, or St. Paul, Minnesota, as appropriate, and I consent to the personal jurisdiction of such courts.

Withdrawal Refund Policy

Withdrawal/Refund Policy for Computer-Based Testing

If after registering for a test you would like to withdraw the registration you may do so as indicated below.

If you have not yet scheduled your test appointment: Submit a withdrawal request through your account.

If you are scheduled to take more than one subtest or test section, the cancellation of the test appointment and withdrawal of the registration will apply to all subtests/sections. You may not withdraw from or receive a refund for only one subtest or part of the sections for which you registered to take at a single test appointment. If you withdraw your registration before your registration expires and before you have scheduled your test appointment or if you cancel your test appointment at least 24 hours before your scheduled testing time and then withdraw your registration, you will receive a full refund of test fees, issued by Evaluation Systems as a credit to your credit card account, within four weeks of your request. If you applied a voucher toward registration fees, the amount of the voucher will not be refunded.

If you are absent from the test, you will not receive a refund or credit of any kind. (See the absentee policy.)

CBEST, CSET, & CTEL: If you registered to take multiple subtests/sections and would like to withdraw registration for some, but not all, subtests/sections, you must withdraw the entire registration and submit a new registration with the new subtest/section selection.

Your registration is valid for one year from the date of issue. If you do not schedule a test appointment and take your test within one year, or withdraw your registration within one year, your registration will expire and you will receive no refund or credit of any kind.

Payment Policy

Payment Policy

Duration of Payment Validity

After payment, your registration will be valid for one year. If you do not take the test or withdraw your registration within that period, your registration will expire and you will receive no refund or credit of any kind.

Payment Processing

If you have any outstanding balance owed by you to Evaluation Systems after a test administration for which you were registered, all of your test results for that test date may be permanently voided and therefore not reported to you, to the CTC, or to any institutions.

The following policies apply to you when you have an outstanding balance with Evaluation Systems:

You will be assessed an additional fee to cover the processing required to clear your account.

You will not be allowed to register for future test dates until your balance, which includes the additional fee, is paid in full.

Any credits or refunds for which you may be eligible will be applied first to your outstanding debt, with any excess to be returned to you.

If a credit card charge for an Evaluation Systems service for you is disputed:

You may not be allowed to make any future payments by credit card.

You must make your payment to clear your account by cashier's check or money order only.

If you attempt to pay for any further services by cashier's check or money order before clearing your account, any payments received will be applied first to your outstanding debt, with any excess applied to the requested services.

ID Policy

ID Policy

You must bring to the test administration one piece of current, government-issued identification printed in English, in the name in which you registered, bearing your photograph and signature.

Acceptable forms of identification include the following:

Driver's license with photograph and signature

Passport with photograph and signature

State identification with photograph and signature (provided by the Department of Motor Vehicles for individuals who do not have a driver's license)

National identification with photograph and signature

Military identification with photograph and signature

Alien Registration Card (green card, permanent resident visa)

A government-issued ID missing a visible signature or that has an embedded signature must be supplemented with an original (no photocopies), valid (unexpired) ID that has at least a matching name and recent recognizable photograph, or a matching name and signature.

If you do not have proper identification at the time of your test,
you will be denied admission to the test session. If you are refused admission to the test, for any reason,
you will be considered absent and will receive no credit or refund of any kind.

Please note the following:

Your middle initial in your account on this website must match the middle name or initial on your ID.

If you have a hyphenated last name, one of the following must be true of your name as it appears in your account on this website and on your ID:

either both instances must use the complete hyphenated name

or

if one instance only uses one last name, it must be the second last name from the full hyphenated version

If the name on your identification differs from the name in which you are registered, you must bring
official, original verification of the change (e.g., original marriage certificate, original court order).

If you have a question about your identification, contact us to submit your question to Evaluation Systems before the day of the test.

Late Arrival Policy

If you arrive late and are not admitted to a test administration, you will be considered absent and will not receive a refund or credit of any kind. You will need to register and pay again to test on a future date.

It is essential that you report for your test appointment no later than the testing time indicated on your test appointment confirmation. If you arrive more than 15 minutes late to a test appointment, you may not be admitted.

Absentee Policy

Absentee Policy

If you are absent, you will not receive a refund or credit of any kind. You will need to register and pay again to test on a future date.

Emergency circumstances. If you are absent from a test session because of an emergency circumstance (illness, injury, hospitalization, or death in the immediate family), you may be eligible to receive a fee voucher that you may use to register for a future test session.

written documentation, such as a dated newspaper obituary or a dated letter signed by a professional licensed to diagnose or treat the emergency condition (e.g., physician), on that person's professional letterhead.

Documentation from a medical professional must specifically excuse you from testing on the date of the test. Documentation containing electronic signatures will not be accepted.

The letter and required documentation must be received at Evaluation Systems within 30 calendar days after the missed test session.

Test Cancellation Policy

In the event that it becomes necessary to close a test center due to severe weather conditions or a natural disaster (e.g., flood, fire), Pearson VUE will notify examinees by telephone and/or email and will contact you to reschedule your test appointment.

If you miss a test appointment that has not been officially canceled due to a test center closing, you will be considered absent and will not receive a refund or credit of any kind. Contact the test center if you have any concerns or questions on the day of the test.

Payment Policy

Payment Policy

Duration of Payment Validity

After payment, your registration will be valid for one year. If you do not take the test or withdraw your registration within that period, your registration will expire and you will receive no refund or credit of any kind.

Payment Processing

If you have any outstanding balance owed by you to Evaluation Systems after a test administration for which you were registered, all of your test results for that test date may be permanently voided and therefore not reported to you, to the CTC, or to any institutions.

The following policies apply to you when you have an outstanding balance with Evaluation Systems:

You will be assessed an additional fee to cover the processing required to clear your account.

You will not be allowed to register for future test dates until your balance, which includes the additional fee, is paid in full.

Any credits or refunds for which you may be eligible will be applied first to your outstanding debt, with any excess to be returned to you.

If a credit card charge for an Evaluation Systems service for you is disputed:

You may not be allowed to make any future payments by credit card.

You must make your payment to clear your account by cashier's check or money order only.

If you attempt to pay for any further services by cashier's check or money order before clearing your account, any payments received will be applied first to your outstanding debt, with any excess applied to the requested services.

Payment Policy

If you have any outstanding balance owed by you to Evaluation Systems after a test administration for which you were registered, all of your test results for that test date may be permanently voided and therefore not reported to you, to the CTC, or to any institutions.

The following policies apply to you when you have an outstanding balance with Evaluation Systems:

You will be assessed an additional fee to cover the processing required to clear your account.

You will not be allowed to register for future test dates until your balance, which includes the additional fee, is paid in full.

Any credits or refunds for which you may be eligible will be applied first to your outstanding debt, with any excess to be returned to you.

If a credit card charge for an Evaluation Systems service for you is disputed:

You may not be allowed to make any future payments by credit card.

You must make your payment to clear your account by cashier's check or money order only.

If you attempt to pay for any further services by cashier's check or money order before clearing your account, any payments received will be applied first to your outstanding debt, with any excess applied to the requested services.

If you are scheduled to take more than one subtest or test section, the cancellation of the test appointment and withdrawal of the registration will apply to all subtests/sections. You may not withdraw from or receive a refund for only one subtest or part of the sections for which you registered to take at a single test appointment. If you withdraw your registration before your registration expires and before you have scheduled your test appointment or if you cancel your test appointment at least 24 hours before your scheduled testing time and then withdraw your registration, you will receive a full refund of test fees, issued by Evaluation Systems as a credit to your credit card account, within four weeks of your request. If you applied a voucher toward registration fees, the amount of the voucher will not be refunded.

If you are absent from the test, you will not receive a refund or credit of any kind. (See the absentee policy.)

CBEST, CSET, & CTEL: If you registered to take multiple subtests/sections and would like to withdraw registration for some, but not all, subtests/sections, you must withdraw the entire registration and submit a new registration with the new subtest/section selection.

Your registration is valid for one year from the date of issue. If you do not schedule a test appointment and take your test within one year, or withdraw your registration within one year, your registration will expire and you will receive no refund or credit of any kind.

Withdrawal/Refund Policy for Paper-Based Testing

If after registering for a test you would like to withdraw the registration, sign in to your account, select Withdraw, and follow the directions provided.

If you withdraw by the late registration deadline, you will receive a full refund of the test fee.

If you registered during the late registration period, the late registration fee will not be refunded.

You may not withdraw your registration or receive a refund if you register during the emergency registration period.

If you are due a refund of test registration fees, your refund will be issued by Evaluation Systems as a credit to your credit card account within four weeks of your request. If you applied a voucher toward registration fees, the amount of the voucher will not be refunded.

If you are absent from the test, you will not receive a refund or credit of any kind. (See the absentee policy.)

Candidate Policies

Please review the testing, registration, and score reporting policies made available here. You will be required to indicate that you have had an opportunity to review them prior to registering to test.